NABERS opens consultation on embodied emissions

NABERS opens consultation on embodied emissions

We are excited to see the release of NABERS’ Consultation Paper on Embodied Emissions. Australia currently has no consistent method of measurement for embodied emissions. Without action, embodied emissions may rise from a 16% share of an average Australian building’s whole-of-life emissions to an 85% share by 2050 (see our report together with the Green Building Council of Australia in 2021). NABERS (which stands for the National Australian Built Environment Rating System) measures the environmental performance of buildings and tenancies.

Embodied emissions stem from the materials and construction of a building or infrastructure project. These emissions come from extracting raw materials, manufacturing building products, transporting products to the building site, constructing the building, maintaining and renovating over the life of the building, and the demolition of the building at the end of its useful life.

 
“Currently, there is little consistency in how we measure embodied emissions. Without standards for comparing buildings, the property industry struggles to set targets, report to investors or communicate design intent with consultants,” said Ivana Brown, Sector Lead – Accelerating Net Zero Buildings at NABERS.

Over the course of 2022, we worked with NABERS and the GBCA to help establish a robust approach for calculating embodied emissions. This approach was developed through extensive stakeholder consultation led by NABERS, Meld Studios and thinkstep-anz.

The final approach focuses on upfront embodied carbon. “Through these discussions, we developed an industry-wide approach to support the definition, scope and calculation of upfront embodied carbon,” said Nicole Sullivan, Head of Strategy & Impact Australia at thinkstep-anz.

Together with industry, we looked at many questions including:

  • How is auditing managed?
  • Which parts of the building are included?
  • Which life cycle stages will be included?
  • Should the tool cover major refurbishment and demolition?

The answers gleaned from this work resulted in the now-published consultation paper containing 10 proposals on which NABERS are seeking feedback. The proposals outline how a NABERS Embodied Emissions Tool would measure, verify and compare embodied emissions in new buildings and major refurbishments.

“This national tool builds on the work in Green Star Buildings and will help to drive consistency and transparency in sustainable buildings for investors, building owners and occupants. It will also help customer-led demand for low-carbon design practices and construction materials,” said Jorge Chapa, Head of Market Transformation at the GBCA.

The NABERS National Steering Committee has endorsed the development of this tool. Its members are state and territory governments, the Commonwealth Government and 14 industry bodies representing stakeholders across the building sector.

We have recently also worked with the New Zealand Green Building Council (NZGBC) to develop a calculator for embodied carbon. “Our goal is to provide industry on both sides of the Tasman with a consistent platform to measure embodied carbon so they can start reducing their impact,” our Technical Director Jeff Vickers said.

 

Green building expert

Nicole Sullivan 23

Using her extensive expertise in engineering, sustainability, and marketing, Nicole Sullivan wants to spur on the sustainable transformation of the built environment. Her deep experience with LCA, EPDs, the building products industry, and green buildings bring practical and pragmatic insight to her holistic focus.